Events take place at 7.30pm at Battisford Community Centre, Straight Road, Battisford IP14 2HP unless otherwise stated.

For more details of Battisford and District Gardening Club contact Denis Wicking, Field Cottage, Straight Road, IP14 2HP 01449 770980  

Wednesday 10 January 2024  Postponed because of Viullage Hall building work

“Choosing the right compost to ensure you plants grow successfully” – Paul Hansord

Paul’s talk will cover how composts have changed since John Innes was developed and the effects of the Government banning peat, the importance of air porosity and how modern fertilisers have helped in creating the perfect compost. In the last 5 years, Paul has used over 70 different composts. If you buy compost, you can’t afford to miss this talk.

Wednesday 17 January 2024 – start time 2.30pm. £17.95 per head. Make a note in your diaries.

Afternoon Tea at Alder Carr Farm, Creeting St Mary, Ipswich, IP6 8LX

A delicious high tea with a selection of sandwiches and savouries, mini cakes and scones all made by hand in their own bakery. Their newly refurbished Courtyard Café is situated in a beautifully converted traditional oak framed barn, around their farm courtyard. 

Monday 05 February 2024 – start time 7.30pm  (collect your free Lily bulbs this evening! - likely to be a class in the SHOW so plant early and get nurturing)

“Getting the best out of your roses” – Ian Limmer

Ian has worked for Peter Beales Roses for 46 years and lectured in Japan, China and all over the country and even given a lecture and workshop for Prince Charles’ gardeners at Highgrove. He has helped to win 26 Gold medals at Chelsea. However, he is very hands on and very willing to weed and water!

Monday 04 March 2024 – start time 7.30pm

“Behind the scenes of Bury in Bloom” – Chris Wiley

Learn all about what goes on behind the scenes of a high-profile floral town and its achievements over the years, along with the intentions of the new Bury in Bloom Coordinator for the coming years. Bury St Edmunds is known as a Jewel in the Crown of Suffolk and is home to the Abbey Gardens which is the 4th most visited free visitor attraction in the UK which was recently awarded the Best Public Open Space and a Gold award for the town at this year’s Anglia in Bloom awards.

Friday 22 March 2024 - Special Event talk by Clare Matterson the Director General of the RHS

£5.00 for BDGC members & £10.00 for guests – Booking Essential (limited tickets available). 

“The future role of the Royal Horticultural Society” – by the new RHS Director General, Clare Matterson

Clare took up the role of Director General of the RHS in June 2022 and has been an RHS member since 1994. As a passionate gardener, she was excited to join the RHS as they play their part in the recovery and longer term growth both for people and for nature through the inspiration, the science and the beauty of gardens. Clare was previously Executive Director of Engagement at the Natural History Museum. She was awarded a CBE for services to public engagement, a Fellowship to the British Science Association for outstanding contributions to public engagement and was one of GQ’s top 100 influential women. 

A unique opportunity to hear about the new strategy of the RHS, its visions for the future and the implementation of their aim to support all gardeners from all backgrounds, at every stage of their gardening journey. 

Monday 01 April 2024 – start time 7.30pm

“Around the world in 80 plants” – Jaime Blake

A look at the wide range of plants we can grow in this country and where they originate in the world, anecdotes and my experience of growing them at Bressingham. The vast majority are Herbaceous plants…as grown in the Dell Garden at Bressingham which Jaime has been tending for 25 years. Come and enjoy his vast knowledge on herbaceous plants.

Tuesday 07 May 2024 – start time 10.00am meeting at the Village Hall for car sharing. £12.00 per head. 

Please add your name to the list.

Day trip to Beth Chatto’s Garden CO7 7DB (34 miles = 45 minute drive)

Beth Chatto transformed an overgrown wasteland which was deemed unfit for fruit farming, into a series of informal gardens. As the conditions within the garden vary widely, five distinct areas have been created providing useful examples of working with nature to find the right plant for the right place.

Monday 03 June 2024 – start time 6.30pm meeting at the Village Hall for car sharing. £10.00 per head which includes tea, coffee and homemade cake. Please add your name to the list.

Day trip to Holm House Garden, Drinkstone IP30 9FT (9 miles = 21 minutes)

Seven different areas to see: lawn with mixture of mature trees and Holm Oaks. Formal garden with topiary. Box hedging and borders with year-round interest. Rose garden. Woodland walk with Hellebores, Camellias, Rhododendrons and bulbs. Cut flower garden with greenhouse and cutting beds. Large kitchen garden with impressive greenhouse. Mediterranean courtyard with mature Olive tree. Brand new lake and woodland.

Monday 02 September 2024 – start time 7.30pm

“The fascinating life of a stag beetle” – Colin Hawes

Followed by AGM

Monday 07 October 2024 – start time 7.30pm

Narcissus collection of Reverend Englehart – Anne Tweddle

Revered Englehart was one of the greatest daffodil breeders of all time, having introduced over 700 new varieties. Englehart was the vicar of a small country church when he first started breeding daffodils in the 1880’s. Once a minor garden flower, daffodils at the time were on the rise. Englehart was so devoted to his daffodils, said Parishioners would sometimes find a note tucked on the church door reading ‘No service today – working with daffodils’! His place in daffodil history was assured in 1898 when he sold three bulbs of the vividly orange cut ‘Will Scarlet’ for the equivalent today of $12,000. This talk comes highly recommended as Anne is very charismatic and knows her subject.

Tuesday 29 October 2024 – start time 10.00am meeting at the Village Hall for car sharing. (60 miles should take 1hr 14mins)

Please add your name to the list.

Day trip to RHS Hyde Hall – Festival of Flavours (Free Entry with Gardening Club)

A celebration of growing a cooking with live demos, edible garden tours, tempting food markets and expert Grow Your Own advice. The gardens are nestled in the heart of rural Essex. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity with its electic mix of traditional and modern styles highlighting the dry garden with its fantastic range of drought resistant plants.

November - tbc 

December - Social and Quiz?